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Jim Ball Vineyards

Chicago attorney Jim Ball has a love for Pinot Noir and the Anderson Valley. He bought land in Anderson Valley in 1999 and built a 10,000-case winery on Highway 128 across from Goldeneye Vineyards. He ran the winery with his long time assistant Tanya Wilber. Beginning in 2002, he began a staged planting of Pinot Noir vineyards totaling 44 acres include a remote vineyard in the Anderson Valley named Middleridge Ranch and the Four Dog Ranch Vineyard adjacent to the winery. Greg LaFollette was involved initially and made the 2006 vintage, but has since departed. Ball then brought biodynamic viticulturalist, Ginney Lambrix, to supervise vineyard development, maintenance and winemaking.

The 2006 Jim Ball "Signature" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir was introduced at the 2008 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival. The wine won Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. A second bottling, labeled "Boonville" was also available, and a third bottling, "Les Pintades," was added in 2009.

**CORRECTION It was incorrectly stated here that Jim Ball Vineyards was sold to Champagne Louis Roederer. Neither the trademark Jim Ball Vineyards nor the corporation Jim Ball Vineyards, Inc., were ever sold to Roederer. The corporation is still privately held by Mr. Ball, the label is still owned by Jim Ball Vineyards, Inc., and the trademark is still owned by Mr. Ball and Jim Ball Vineyards, Inc.. The Four Dog Ranch in Anderson Valley associated with Jim Ball Vineyards, Inc. was sold in 2011.

In late 2014, two wines were released crafted by noted winemaker Greg La Follette: a 2013 Signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and a 2013 Signature Mendocino Ridge Chardonnay.

Reviewed Wines

2007 Jim Ball Vineyards Signature Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc.,
$30.
·Subdued but pleasant scents of black cherries and oak. The oak influence
carries through on the palate. Decent cherry and berry tastes backed by savory
herbs with a finish that is short and dry. Not up to the quality of the 2006 vintage
bottling of this wine. The wines are sold through a mailing list at
www.jimballvineyards.com with some retail distribution.Reviewed September 19, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Jim Ball Vineyards “Signature” Label Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.65, 690 cases,
$45. Aged 9 months on the lees with monthly stirring in 33% new French oak barrels.
·This bottle did not show
as well as others I have sampled. Aromas of oak-infused black cherries carry over on the palate. Light, dilute
and a little green. Decent.Reviewed June 8, 2010ARTICLE&nbsp»

2007 Jim Ball Vineyards Signature Label Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $46.
·Moderately deep garnet color. Very intense aromas of cherries and berries with Provencal
spices. Rich and ripe berry and stone fruit flavors augmented by notes of tar and grilled
meat. Smoothly textured with fine dusty tannins and a clean finish. A hardy wine with
more gumption than the 2006 vintage. It will improve over the next year or two yet is
drinking fine now.Reviewed June 5, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Jim Ball Vineyards “Signature Label” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 690
cases, $60. From the 10-acre Middle Ridge Vineyard, located at 1,200 ft on a south facing
Anderson Valley hillside just outside of Boonville. Clones 115, 667,777,828 and Pommard 5.
Inaugural release.
·Shy but sexy scent of red cherries and oak spice. Delicious cherry and
strawberry fruit, nicely spiced with gossamer tannins and a tangy finish. Delicate and
elegant with impeccable balance. A ballerina in full flight. This is an up and coming producer of
great promise.Reviewed January 1, 2009ARTICLE&nbsp»

2006 Jim Ball Vineyards “Signature” Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc.,$60.
·This wine
actually startled me by its charm. An impressive inaugural effort that showed
great breeding. Gregarious red fruit and spice that delivered plenty of perfume
and flavor, yet was light on its feet. The whole Pinot package.Reviewed June 9, 2008ARTICLE&nbsp»